The Insult Circus (M. Solomon)

From the very moment I heard your deceit and subtle lies, from the moment you shocked me, silent I burned to question, why? Why? Why do you insist, you persist in blasphemy of my Lord and God? Take you opinions and empty accusations home and rot. Your world is so perverted, nausea grips my stomach! I think I'm gonna vomit. And to think I once took part in the narrowmindedness of a hardened heart. Why?

Why the insults to my Lord? There is no point without support. Blaming God for the faults of me, you don't even understand. Some feeble point or shock effect. Who do you benefit? You profit off another's pain and bite the hand that seeks to aid. Lies. Motive: ego . . . Knowledge, who knows? Solution: zero. . . you goal, oh so vague.

And the band Millions of Dead whoever, you are mumbling and grumbling about today, your music's fast and your outspoken but you have little or nothing to say.

And the boys from south of heaven, who knock TV preachers with every other word, you come off so concerned and charge $20+ for a t-shirt. Hypocrisy your breathe holds. Deception reeks thick and bold. You don't care about anyone but yourself. You couldn't care less if I rot in hell. Me or anyone else . Why?

And the band named after the cow disease, so proud if you're without sin then go ahead - cast your two cents in.

And half of the bands in the Berkeley Mag on the bandwagon of the insult circus. Of all the wrongs you slag the rights and lose us to your purpose. If you're so wise then solve my problems instead. You ask more and more needless questions and my troubles double. Give us something we can use. You serve only to confuse, Why?

The Crucified - The Pillars of Humanity (Ocean) 1991 1. "Intro/Hateworld" (5:20) 2. "It's All About Fear" (2:29) 3. "The Wrong One" (3:41) 4. "Mindbender" (3:54) 5. "Path to Sorrow" (4:02) 6. "Fellowship of Thieves" (3:12) 7. "Focus" (2:32) 8. "The Strength" (3:53) 9. "Blackstone/So-Called Living, 1991" (4:16) 10. "The Pillars of Humanity" (2:57)

"The Pillars of Humanity" limited edition white vinyl

This is a PHENOMENAL hardcore/thrash crossover album. Every song is fast and furious yet still has great musical hooks. This is one of those albums that you just can't sit still listening to. The lyrics deal with social topics from a Christian perspective.

Interesting story (at least to me) about these guys. I hung around a show in Albuquerque after these guys played in hopes of getting them to autograph my disc. When the band came out to hang with those who were still in the building, three of the four members were really cool and autographed my disc. One of them, guitarist Greg Minier, seemed overjoyed to sign it and struck up a conversation with me about his solo disc, which I also had him sign. (see Minier) Their singer, however, was the biggest jerk I have ever met. I asked him to sign the cover and he ignored me and instead started talking with someone else. No biggie, I thought maybe he didn't hear me. I waited for him to finish his conversation and once again asked him to sign my disc. He snatched the cover from my hands and scribbled a scripture reference, 1 John 5:21 and didn't even sign his name. The scripture: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." Man, talk about the ultimate in arrogance, I had no desire to worship the man, I only wanted him to sign the stinkin' CD because I dug the music. The dude ruined my cover.

Well, this would be the last disc for The Crucified, although Tooth & Nail Records would re-released their early punk demos on a cd called "Nailed." Vocalist Mark Soloman went on to do some crappy rap project then on to another crappy alternative band (Stavesacre). Bassist Jeff Belew had a short stint with industrial metal band Chatterbox, before going on to play with Stavesacre with Soloman. Last seen, Jeff Belew was sporting a sticker on his guitar that said "Metal Sucks!" Poser! I bought the first two Stavesacre albums and held onto them for a few years until I finally got tired of 'em collecting dust on my shelf, so I traded them in. Greg Minier released two excellent solo albums during the Crucified's existence; Minier and Applehead. Greg was featured in an issue of Guitar World Magazine shortly before the band broke up. Drummer Jim Chaffin went on to play with The Blamed, Fasedown and Once Dead. I actually shared the stage with Greg Minier at Mike Phillips "Mirrors Within Mirros" CD release party. Applehead played a short set, after which I joined the band to perform a couple AC/DC songs. It was fun, despite the fact that I totally butchered those songs. While there, I had Greg sign the promo photo above as well as the Applehead CD.

The Crucified - Nailed/Take Up Your Cross (Tooth & Nail) 1994

Take Up Your Cross
1. "Silent Scream" (1:53)
2. "You Don't Understand" (1:39)
3. "G.O.D." (1:36)
4. "Seal Number Four" (3:02)
5. "Conviction" (1:43)
6. "No Decay" (2:00)
7. "The Howl" (3:27)
8. "Be Warned" (2:40)
9. "Rebellion" (1:13)
10. "All You Need" (1:57)
11. "Problem Solution" (2:17)
12. "Directed Youth" (1:57)
13. "Washed Out/Apathy Medley " (2:12)
14. "Freedom" (1:41)
15. "I Want To Be A Bug" (:45)
Nailed
16. "I'm Not a Christian Punk" (1:05)
17. "Death to Death" (1:42)
18. "Your Image" (1:27)
19. "God In A Cage" (1:49)
20. "Crucified With Christ" (1:31)
21. "Give It Up" (:49)
22. "Disposal" (1:03)